Compressor oil change frequency

[aprikh1]

I am in the market for a potable air compressor, something that can be used with a blow gun, to inflate tires, and run various nailers. I have my heart set on the little Makita unit.

Linky:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001Q2VK0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

However, my concern is that this is not an oil-less unit. The manual states that the oil has to be changed every 300 hours or 3 months, whichever comes first; since I will not be using this unit often, every time I would need to fire it up I would need to change its oil. That’s super inconvenient.

So my question is, with light use, do I have to change this compressor’s oil every three months?

Thanks!

 

[kams1973]

If you're going to use the compressor less than 300hrs a year, I'd just service it annually.

 

[nate379]

Those things are like lawnmowers, as long as there is oil in there, they are pretty much fine.

 

[aprikh1]

Thanks for the responses! I went ahead and ordered the thing. I will stick with a once a year oil change, and hope for the best.

Cheers

 

[TOOL MASTER]

Haven't changed mine since i bought it 18 years ago....still clean as day one....it's not like a car where carbon builds up and turns it black

 

[Gary S]

It depends on the oil you choose. If you are using petroleum based oil, follow the 300 hr recommendation because petroleum oils break down fast from heat. If you use a synthetic, you can go with much longer oil change intervals. Amsoil recommends 8000 hr oil change intervals with their synthetic compressor oils. They are pretty much immune to heat breakdown.
Many compressors are rated at only 8000-10,000 hr compressor life, so once you switch to synthetics, just run the compressor and make sure the oil level never gets low.